Torch compass



Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT. orrlca 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a torch compass.

It is illustrated as an accessory for a conventional acetylene torch, but it may be used on torches of other types.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide satisfactory means for cutting a disk of metal with a torch. More specifically, it is my purpose to provide a device including a compass bar with respect to which the torch is swiveled so that it can be used without entangling the supply lines, the compass bar being provided with supporting means facilitating the operation of the torch upon a circular path of predetermined radius and at a predetermined spacing'from the work.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an arrangement whereby the torch is readily applicable to and removable from the compass device without requiring any change other than the substitution of a special nut for the nut now employed to hold the tip in place in the torch.

Other objects will appear from the following disclosure.

In'the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the device in use. x

Figure 2 is a view largely in side elevation and partially in axial section showing the compass on an enlarged scale and fragmentarily illustrating the torch.

Figure 3 is a view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, portions of the torch being broken away to show the compass in further detail.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

The torch head 5 is conventional and, as illustrated, it is supplied with gases by the supply lines 6, 'l and 8, or some thereof. These lines enter the handle 9 where, subject to the control exerted by a valve lever ill, the gases pass through the p J tion hearing which 'preventsany sticking of the 40 tubes II, I! and I3 to the head 5.

Replaceably connected to the torch head 5 is the tip l5 which is headed at l6 to be engaged by the retaining nut I! which is in the form of a tubular plug. In accordance with the present invention this retaining nut is of special design, being provided at l8 with a sleeve-like extension and at I! with a flange, these parts being devised to co-operate with the bearing portion of the compass as hereinafter to be described.

The compass head 20 is centrally apertured to' receive the sleeve l8 through which the tip l5 projects. About the aperture I prefer to provide an anti-friction bearing having its outer race 2i, its inner race 22, and the intervening balls 23 all received in a socket in the compass head 20 and covered by the flange it. While. the antifriction bearing is not essential, it assists in the free swiveling of the torch in the compass and prevents erratic cutting which might result it the torch were to become stuck in the compass dur- 5 ing the use ofthe device.

From the compass head I! projects a bar 25 which is preferably calibrated in inches as measured from the tip I 5. On this bar the compass post 26 is adjustably positioned by vmeansof theset screw 21, the post being pointed at ll to fixthe center about which the desiredcircle may' be described.

An ear 29 projecting-from the compass, head has a vertical bore to receive the adjustable 1 wheel post 30, such post being fixed in any desired adjustment by the set screw 3|. Below the compasshead the, post-is bent at right angles to provide the skein 32 upon which turns a supporting wheel at 33. l 20 The flange l9 not onlyencloses and houses the bearing, but limits the downward movement of the torch with respect to the-compass, thereby providing a support which fixes the position of a the torch tip I! at a level above the work which is accurately determined by the supporting wheel 33 and the adjustment thereof with re spect to the compass head. I

The compass post 26 being adjusted to the correct radius onthe bar, the point 28 is held to the work and the torch may be grasped by the handle and manipulated to cause the tip l5 to describe an arcuate path. The swivelingof the torch on the compass bar enables the direction of projection of the torch handle and the 5 supply lines 6, 'l and [thereof to remain tin-- changed, thus preventing any tangling of such lines. As above noted, accuracy in the use of the tool is enhanced by the use of the anti-frictorch in its swiveling movementin the compass attachment. r

All torches are not alike in respect of. the

mounting nuts employed'to retain their replaceable tips. It will, however, be noted that the 4'5 .wheeled support and a compass bar adiustably provided with a compass post, of an anti-friction bearing having two races concentrically disposed within said annular head, the innermost of said races having its inner periphery provided with an opening no larger than the opening in the bottom of said head, and a member having a flange overlying said inner race and a sleeve por tion extending through the inner race and through the opening in the bottom of said head and adapted to receive the tip of a torch for the swiveling of the torch in said head and the 5 guidance thereof about said post.

CHRISTIAN I. INGWERSEN. 

